New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-08

pride toward his little poultry yard, when some,
thing awful happened There was terrible ana !,
deafening roar, the air was thick with smoke anu
steam and flying objects, drops OF some horrible
fluid spattered everywhere, and felt stunning
blow on the top Of my head.
The next that remember / found myself st-
ting on pile Of lumber outside. Somepouy
yelled
"Ihe engine has blown up!
Some people were running out OF the puilains
and great many were running toward 1t. There
was a great deal Of screaming and crylnS' puo
couldn't understand what it was all about ana
didn't care to- The pain III my head was ihooicrsi-
BILE. / put my hand up and found tha1 my mar
was sticky and wet with blood. L stole around
to the rear of the buhding and washed myself
there, but there stains on my clothing thao
wouldn't come off. Some people who were stand
ing around looked at me curiousy, but kept my
head turned away, for it vexed me TO be noUced
! After % while | went back to the pile OF Doarus
1t was dark them and 1 felt stupid and tired,
but had no inclination to go back to my board
| ing-place In fact, was so confused ana mixed
up that 1 wasn't sure l could find II II trleo'
Gradually the noises became distant and lndls-
tinct the lights receded and the big building
faded away.
The next that remember l was sitting up
wide awake. Not awake in the ordinary sense
of healthy, cheerful activity Of brain and Dody,
but with that dreadful pressure on my hcad sui
weighing me down. while all my faculties were
unnaturally sharpencd and strained. Knew
now, as well as if had been told, exactly what
had happened Tom Jones had tried to blow up
my machine and kill me. 1t was vile conspiracy
to get possession of my wife and property YES
and Jane was in it, and Rob. / hadn't friend
on earth but poor little Ellie, who was too small
and innocent to take part in their villanous
schemes Or perhaps, he was going to steal my
Patent. l would foil him there. My papers
all safe in my breast pocket. L reached
into my pocket and drew them out, and spread
-. thn 10 1ifrhf of
Heavens They were all descriptions of the egg
hatcher, with cuts of the machine. Then re-
membered the change of coats, all part OF the
same cruel plot. My whole mind became con-
ccntrated upon the thought Of revenge How
to get even with them-how to expose their blood
thirsty, dabolical attempt to the world. held
my head tightly between my hands, for it seemed
as if il would bust. Something came peeping
and yipping over my foot. IL was one OF those
poor, little, half-feathered monstrosltles tha1
Tom had Matched out of his internal machine
At the sight of this brilliant thought entered
my mind l would steal Toms patent. Not
there where people knew all about it, and he had
friends who would work against me, but L would
go away off somewhere and get some rich man TO
take it up. There was wealthy railway presi-
dent in Ncw-York, whose name l had seen In the
papers and who had a reputation for enterprise
and bold speculation. L would 20 TO him, lay
down the case and get him interested in 1t. once
get capital enlisted on my side, and Tom would
have no sort Of show.
l took the chicken and stuffed it into my
pocket for sample Somebody came along ana
l knew it spy Tom had sent out TO hunt
around for me and see if / was still alive 30
crouched beside the pile Of boards to walt 1or
the man to pass. The chicken in my pocket
peeped-I squeezed it TO stop its noise 1t huttered
a little, but pretty soon it was still. Then
rose cautiously and made my way down to The
big Union Depot, keeping on the outskirts OF the
town and lodging everybody 1 saw. Luckily my
wallet was in my trousers pocket, ana had
enough money to pay my fare, with httle 10
spare. i found it hard to count the money when
| paid for my ticket, and was sure the agent
cheated me out of dollar. l told him so with
dignity, but would not make fuss over IL TOT
fear of attracting attention. got into The car ana
found seat behind the door, where l would be
free from observation. The more i thought IL
over the more 1 dislilScd to ask big capitalist
to 60 into chicken raising. There seemed some
thing trihing and mean in the very suggestion
But why bother with such insignificant things
Since tho principle would apply to hens eggs,
why not TO turkeys? And II to turkeys why
not to ostriches'? All, / had 1t Alhgators
That would be an enterprise worth taking up
We would supply aligators for the New-i DIX
market. We would see that every town In the
United States had an alligator pond. we would
fill orders from menagerles, dime museums ZOO
logical gardens. We would have great tannerles
for curing alligator skins and supcrsedc calf
skim goat-sldn and kid. / was so elated at the
idea that l clapped my hands and tossed my hat
in the air.
Here, you'll" said the conductor angrily, com
ing up from the other end OF the car what are
YOU thinking about?'
"Anigators," said I, smiling shrewdly at him.
as leaned forward with hand resting on either
knee.
well, behave yourself, anyhow
Ho looked at me very queerly, and 1t struck me
that he had a similar enterprise in view hlInseI,
but [ thought to myself that I'd get ahead OF
him. When 1 reached NewYor< / went first to
shoe store and bought Ellies shoes. 1hen'
tell you, lost no time in hunting up the presi-
dent of the Is. and q. railroad. darkey VINO
sat outside his door tried to keep me OUT Dy Tell
ing me no was engaged.
"Eneapements 90 to thunder!' said /; give
como five hundred miles to see him on matter
OF the greatest Importance.
The darlxey saw meant business and he wilted'
| pushed my way past him and burst into Dig
office beyond. There were four or five men In
tho room One of them sat at O big desk COW
cred with papers, and 1 knew he was the man 1
was after L put my hand to my head to ease
IL and collect my thoughts, for l knew every
thing depended upon my putting the matter IN
an attractive and fay orable light. All the whhe
that intolerable pressure that awful sense OF
weight, as il somebody had bound an iron weight
on my head.
II beg your pardon for intruding, sir, but
the business l wish to you on admits OF no
delay" began.
lie interrupted Inc, little fretfully. it seemed
to me:
II wish you would put it off until another
time l am engaged just now. Call tomorrow.
| | knew il | waited till tomorrow l should
lose him. Besides, / felt queerly. Something
might happen to prevent my coming and so the
chance would go by. Tom Jones would get Jane
and the farm, and where would L be? The fear
drove me to desperation.
an1 locn fha m
the Alligator King'?" / shouted. Think OF
walling in New-Yorl1 harbor and devoting it to
alligator culture! Alligator meat and alligator
soupl And tanneres for the skins. Think OF
I IL L.. L. far.aa IILanl no1D